Syria - Edith Bouvier and William Daniels

Statement by Mr. Alain Juppé, Ministre d’Etat, Minister of Foreign and European Affairs

(Paris, 1st March 2012)

I am happy that the two French journalists, Edith Bouvier and William Daniels, who had been trapped in Homs for several days, are in Lebanon this evening. They are being looked after by the French Embassy in Beirut, and everything is being done to provide them with medical attention and to return them home as quickly as possible.

I want to express my enormous joy to their families at this happy outcome. My thoughts also go out to the families of Rémi Ochlik and Marie Colvin, who were killed in Homs, and to all the Syrian victims in that martyred city.

Both personally and on behalf of the French government, I want to warmly thank all those who, often at the risk of their own life, have made this outcome possible. You have France’s gratitude.